Observation: Hatcher Pass

Location: Pk 4068 Wimpy Bowl

Date:
Observer:
Marissa Bieger
Route & General Observations

Toured up to Wimpy Bowl from Marmot parking lot. Dug a full pit just below the ridgeline on the NE aspect. Whumping observed in several areas along skin track, no cracking.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?No
Collapsing (Whumphing)?Yes
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Overcast skies with occasional sun shining through the clouds in the morning. Temps in the mid-20s F, light wind out of the SW increasing toward afternoon. No new precip observed today.

Snow surface

Extremely variable surface conditions. Thickest wind slab observed on NW aspects (up to 2'). Ridges were windblown, frequently exposing ground. Breakable melt-freeze crust, powder, and wind slab experienced on the uphill and downhill.

Snowpack

Pit: 3926' NE aspect, 26 degree incline. ECTP22 36cm down , CT22 41cm down, PST40/100 (Arr) 36cm down, all on same mid-pack facet layer. CT21 81cm down on depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. See Snowpit diagram.

Photos & Video
Please upload photos below. Maximum of 5 megabytes per image. Click here for help on resizing images. If you are having trouble uploading please email images separately to staff.

Snowpit Profile at 3926'  

Snow pit showing both mid-pack crusts and hand hardness profile  

Depth hoar from ground up to 10cm  

Heading toward the ridge of Pk 4068  

Location
Click to Explore Location.